Chapter 4 - Her Name is Astra

Jalen thought about what Runa had told her about obtaining her baby's name. She knew she had to make a decision soon. It was only a few days and the naming ceremony would take place. Naming her sons had been so easy. It was with her husband's help though, that they were able to decide on names so easily. She wished he was here to help her with this naming. She missed him so much, but she knew he would not be returning from the other side. She could still picture his face. That memory hadn't faded and she was glad she could still visualize him. She still loved him and knew she would never be able to replace him in her heart.

She sighed as she stood and started the fire in the hearth. She fed it more and more fuel so it would burn for a long time. She didn't know how long it would take her for her daughter's name to come to her. She looked at the large fire she had built and decided it would last for a long time. She walked over to the area she had chosen to rest and placed extra rushes down to make a more comfortable bed for her to relax on. Looking around, she found the hides she had stored to make a good covering over the rushes that tended to poke her skin. She stood staring at the fire, wondering why she was putting off the task before her. The fire had reached its zenith and she didn't have any more excuses. She turned and walked to her seating area.

The hearth fire was burning brightly. Jalen sat on her pillow of soft hides, watching the dancing flames, soaking in the warmth of the fire. Earlier, she’d fed her children and tucked the boys into their hide-covered beds, and the baby into her blanketed wooden crib; she could hear the occasional noises that babies make when they’re dreaming.

Jalen inhaled a deep breath; the smoke had the faint aroma of the bay leaves she had tossed into the flames. She sipped her tea; along with the bay leaves, she’d added some cranberry and dandelion leaves to the concoction. The scent was intoxicating to her as she took a big sip. She watched the fire as it threw hypnotic flames into the air.

The hides she’d piled up behind her felt so soft and she leaned back against them; they cradled her much like she thought her baby might feel swaddled in her crib. She now felt so relaxed and her eyes began to close without her realizing it. Jalen then fell into a deep sleep…

In her dream, she found herself walking along the familiar shore of a shimmering lake. The water was calm, its surface reflecting the pastel hues of the sky, where soft clouds drifted lazily. Her favorite flowers had burst into bloom along the shoreline, painting the landscape in shades of lavender, yellow, and deep crimson. Their mingled fragrances filled the air, creating a unique and intoxicating aroma that seemed to swirl with the breeze. She knew this place well—it was a cherished part of her dreams, one she returned to again and again. It felt like a sanctuary, a safe haven untouched by time or troubles.

Jalen longed to linger here, to drink in the peace and beauty of this picturesque dreamscape. But there was a pull, a deeper sense of purpose that gnawed gently at the edges of her mind. She couldn’t ignore it. She knew something important awaited her—a purpose that was both urgent and meaningful. The feeling filled her with a strange mix of anticipation and curiosity, urging her forward.

She paused, her senses sharpening. There was a presence nearby—one she had felt before in her dreams. It was subtle but powerful, a patient energy that seemed to be waiting just out of sight. Guided by an unseen force, Jalen began walking, her bare feet sinking softly into the fern-lined path that appeared before her. The delicate fronds brushed against her legs as she moved forward, their emerald green leaves swaying in rhythm with the gentle breeze.

Then, without warning, a radiant glow enveloped her. It was warm and inviting, yet so brilliant that Jalen had to shield her eyes momentarily. The light seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere, pulsating with a gentle hum that resonated deep within her. Slowly, she lowered her hand and blinked, her vision adjusting to the ethereal brilliance.

Standing before her was a figure unlike anything she had ever seen. It floated just above the ground, its form tall and human-shaped but impossible to define. Draped in flowing white robes that moved as though alive, the entity radiated an aura of calm and immense power.

The entity spoke to her.

“Jalen,” it said, “I am here to disclose the name the gods have chosen for your child. You shall call her Astra…as she will be like a star in the sky and rival even the beauty of the gods. She will become a great warrior for the gods, one who slays the evil that invades the evil souls who cause pain and destruction to mankind. But you will not be able to take part in her greatness. She will be taken from her homeland on her fated journey through many different lands. Each country will have challenges that she must face and conquer. She will be fighting the worst evil that exists. Each challenge will be more evil than the previous one. But take solace in knowing that you will have prepared her for the struggles that will befall her. She will be brave. She will be a Seer, a Healer, and a Shaman to many, and all will respect her. You have birthed a very special baby, Jalen. Be proud of her and teach her well, for she has greatness in her life journey."

The intense light faded. As Jalen opened her eyes and found herself in front of her hearth fire, she took a deep breath and shook her head to clear it.

“Astra. What a beautiful name.” Jalen whispered softly to herself. The name felt as if it had always been meant for her daughter, a gift bestowed by the gods themselves.

Jalen lay quietly for a while, her thoughts swirling with everything the glowing entity had revealed to her. It had been no ordinary dream—she was certain of that. The weight of the entity’s words lingered in her mind.

Eventually, Jalen stirred. Her body had grown stiff from lying too long on the rushes, and she rose to her feet, stretching her arms above her head and rolling her shoulders. She walked quietly toward the crib, her bare feet brushing against the cool earthen floor. Her heart swelled as she gazed down at her sleeping daughter.

“Astra,” Jalen reached down, gently brushing a stray lock of dark hair from the baby’s forehead.

As if hearing her mother’s voice in her dreams, Astra cooed softly. Her eyes fluttered open, reaching toward her mother. Jalen felt a wave of warmth wash over her. She knew in that moment, without a doubt, that her daughter had accepted the name—a name that carried the essence of the stars.

“You will be beautiful,” Jalen said, her voice barely above a whisper, “and you will shine like the stars in the sky.”